Folding bedstead



(Nq Model.) J S. S, BURR. Folding Bedstead. No. 236,981. Patented Jan. 25,1881.

N-PEYERS, PHOTO-LITMUGRAPHER, WASHINGTON, n G.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SANFORD S. BURR, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

FOLDING BEDSTEAD.

SPECIFICATION forming part of LettersPatent No. 236,981, dated January 25, 1881.

. Application filed July 16, 1880. (No model.)

' bedstead known as a wardrobe-bedsteadthat is to say, one in which the bedstead-frame is hinged at its lower end to the case, can be turned bodily upright when not in use, presenting in this position an appearance not unlike a Wardrobe, the similarity being enhanced by finishing the exposed upright face of the bedstead-frame with panels in wardrobe style.

There are several objections to the use of wardrobe-bedsteads, which it is my object to remove.

In the first place, the size of the structure as ordinarily made is an objection, the depth or thickness of the case, when the bedstead is turned up, being very considerable, and causing the article to occupy so much space in a room as to be inconvenientl y in the way. This is due to the depth of the bed-rails, which are made deep to allow the spring bed-bottom play without contact with the paneled wardrobefront.

Secondly, the weight of the structure is a decided objection. The bedstead, owing to the large size of rails, as Well as to the heavy nature of the paneled front, which is all wood, cannot be lifted and lowered safely without using heavy counterbalance-weights, and all this makes the structure not only bulky, but so heavy as to be moved and manipulated with difficulty; and, thirdly, from the above objectionable features follows another-via, the expense, which, owing to the'way in which the bedstead is constructed, puts the structure to such a price as to interfere materially with its more extended introduction and use.

It is my object to obviate these objectionable features, and the means which I make use of to accomplish this will now be described. I may state preliminarily, in a general way, that these means consist in hinging the wardrobe-front or otherwise making it movable, so that it will, when the bed is lowered, fall far enough away from the latter to permit the bed-bottom full play. In this way I can use bed-rails which are not so deep by six inches as those ordinarily used; and, further, it consists in forming the panels of the front of some woven or pliable material, such as cloth, canvas,-'or the like, or more costly material, such as satin, &c., in lieu of the wooden panels hitherto employed. Panels of wood warp easily unless made quite thick, and thick panels require thick stiles, so that the ordinary wooden front is heavy, and adds much to the weight of a bedstead which turns upright like a wardrobe-bedstead. By making the panels of a textile material I not only make a great diminution in the weight of the panels themselves, but allow the stiles to be greatly reduced in thickness.

The nature of my invention will be understood by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a view of my improved wardrobe-bedstead folded. Fig. 2 is a view of the same unfolded.

The bedstead, in its general organization, resembles an ordinary wardrobe-bedstead. A is the case; B, the bedstead, pivoted at the base or lower part to the case, and provided, in the usual way,with counterbalance-weights, to facilitate the operation of raising or lowering it.

C is the paneled front, made in imitation of a wardrobe-front. This front I attach to the bedstead in such a manner that when the bedstead is lowered the front will drop away from the bed-rails a far enough to allow the spring bed-bottom b to have free play without touching the front. The front can thus lie close up to the bed-bottom when the bedstead is turned up, while it will, when the bedstead is lowered, drop down far enough to leave the required space between it and the bed-bottom. This permits me to reduce very materially the depth of the side rails, a, and consequently not only to lighten the whole structure, but also to reduce its bulk. The front is here shown as made capable of this movement by hinging it, as shown at c, to the foot of the bed. A chain, strap, or cord, 01, will prevent the front from dropping too far. The front, however, manifestly may be otherwise arranged and attached to the bed, to permit it to move away from and toward the bed-bottom. The panels 0 of the front are made of some textile or woven material, such as canvas, which may be ornamented by painting or otherwise, according to taste. The advantages of thus making the front have above been stated, and need not be repeated. By thus making the front the bedstead is very materially lightened, and is much less diflicult to raise and lower. I remark that either of these features may he used without the otherthat is to say. the panels of woven material may he used in the fixed front of a turn-down wardrobe-bedstead, and the movable front may be used with ordinary wooden panels; but I much preferto use them conjointly in order to obtain the best result.

The power now required to raise a wardrobebed constructed to turn down in front, with the front attached, is equivalent to from three hundred to five hundred pounds of iron; but in my construction, by cutting down the rails about one-half, as I do. and using light panels, I can get along with from one hundred to one hundred and fifty pounds. This is material,

not only because it reduces expense and bulk,

but also because it reduces weight, which is an importantitem in a piece of household furniture which should be light and portable.

What I claim as my improvement in wardrobe-bedsteads as constructed to turn down in front, with the front attached, is-

1. The combination, with the case and the turn-down bedstead jointed thereto, of a wardrobe-front jointed to the bedstead,substantiall y as hereinbefore set forth, so that it will drop away from the bed-bottom when the bedstead is turned down. 2. The combination, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, of the case, the turn-down bedstead, and the wardrobe-front, provided with panels of textile material and jointed to said bedstead.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 14th day of July, 1880.

SANFORD S. BURR.

Witnesses E. H. REYNOLDS, JOHN H. VoGT. 

